Motion Picture Daily (Oct-Dec 1960)

Motion Picture Daily Monday, November 14, 1< Para. Earnings (Continued from page 1) the pre-1948 film library. Comparative earnings for the same period in 1959 are: total earnings of $1,349,000, including special income of $198,000. The total number of shares outstanding at the end of the third quarter of 1960 were 1,673,231 and compares with 1,703,927 shares outstanding at the end of the third quarter of 1959. The board of directors of Paramount on Thursday voted a quarterly dividend of 50 cents per share on the common stock payable Dec. 16 to holders of record Dec. 1. REVIEW: The Facts of Life Panama and Frank — United Artists Rive Pleads for Easing Of Japan Import Curbs From, THE DAILY Bureau LONDON, Nov. 13. The hope that the opening of a Japanese season here would help remove severe restrictions on the import of British films into Japan, was expressed by Kenneth Rive, managing director of Gala Films, at a luncheon in honor of a Shochiku film delegation. Rive said it was also Gala's aim to find a market in Europe, not just England, for Japanese films and "we have the organisation that can sell the films— if they are of the right type." But, he added, we would be very pleased to see the licensing laws of Japan changed so that it became an open market. Praises Co-Production Referring to co-production, he said that they were very keen to start it and he sincerely hoped the first will be of the combination of ShochikuGala. We have studied the difficulties and hope we are going to get started. Chief guests at the luncheon were Japanese star Yoshiko Sano, scenarist Ben Sawamura and the head of the International Department of Shochiku, Shigemasa Takarada. 'Let's Keep Parents': Compo Advertisement "Let's Keep Parents" is the head of a COMPO advertisement published Saturday in Editor ir Publisher, trade paper of the newspaper industry. The advertisement, No. 122 in the COMPO Editor i? Publisher series, points out that the MPAA Production Code was "never intended to replace parents" and that it leaves the bringing up of children to parents. Drive-In Started THORNTON, Colo., Nov. 13. Ground was broken and work is progressing on the new $400,000 North Star Drive-in Theatre. The theatre is being constructed by Wolfberg Theatres which operate six drive-ins in the Denver area in addition to the Denver first-run Paramount Theatre. New North Star will have a capacity of 1600 cars with a screen measuring 134 feet by 60 feet. Construction is to be completed in time for a spring opening. The idea to team two such fine comedy talents as Bob Hope and Lucille Ball in a motion picture was little short of inspirational for each is assuredly tops in his and her particular brand of humor. Somewhat dubious however, is the story matter chosen by producer Norman Panama and director Melvin Frank in which to display the fun-making talents of this duo. The background of this comedy with dramatic undertones, or drama with comedic undertones (you may take your choice in categorizing this effort), is marital infidelity. This hardly seems a fit subject for some of the hilarious moments that enrich this film, which has been ably directed for laughs when called for, and drama when so indicated, by Frank. Panama and Frank who, as is usual with their combined producer-writer-director efforts, are responsible for the original storv and screenplay. The tale involves three married couples in a closely-knit social climate who have been taking their vacations together for years. On the eve of their departure for Acapulco, Hope's wife, Ruth Hussey, decides to remain home because one of their children has a cold. Miss Ball's husband Don Defore, is called away on business. Miss Ball and Hope leave for the vacation spot with the other couple, Philip Ober and his wife Marianne Stewart. When Ober and his wife become ill, Hope and Miss Ball are thrown together throughout the six-day vacation. And therein lies the start of a romance both are loathe to give up. Returning home they constantly are thrown together at such affairs as bridge, concerts and 'football games. They decide to carry their romance to its adulterous conclusion and check into a motel. With Miss Ball a little drunk, Hope drives off to get some coffee, and cannot find the motel on his way back. So it goes, with a comedy routine popping up whenever things get serious. They run off to Monterey together, but again, before indulging in the affairs physical aspect, they decide to return to their respective mates and children. The film ends on a laugh-clown-laugh note for both comics, as they are still in love with each other, but don't intend to do anything about it. J 6 One of the high comedy situations occurs when Hope checks into the motel under the signature "Mr. and Mrs. G. Washington." It is probably the funniest episode in the film, which has many for this team's fans. While all supporting players contribute fine' performances, it is Hope and Miss Ball all the way. The theme of the film makes it unsuitable for the young. Johnny Mercer wrote the music and lyrics for the title tune which is agreeably sung over the credits by Edyie Gorme and Steve Lawrence. Running time, 103 minutes. Release, at Christmas. Sidney Rechetnik Loew's Circuit (Continued from page 1) and affiliates own 614,700 shares ■ Loew's Theatres stock, or 23 per ces The proposal for adoption of cuir lative voting is to be introduced Lewis or John Gilbert, owners of shares each of the company's stw: Management recommends a v<; against the proposal on the grou that it was previously rejected by : per cent of the shares voting and, adopted, would lead to special \, terest groups on the board and wou! necessitate the holding of anothl stockholders meeting to amend t; company's certificate of incorporation Mayer Sees Advances ( Continued from page 1 ) Sickle Lecture at the college on tlj status and prospects of the Americ^ mass media. Speaking on the topic, "The Mi vies Move into the Sixties," the ve< eran publicist and exhibitor will d« liver an upbeat message saying j1 part: "I am a corrigible optimist, . which I mean one who believes tk1 American standards of taste and at preciation are advancing steadily a! though far too slowly for any coir' placency." Sees Freedom 'Misinterpreted' Mayer will also comment on th "new freedom" granted authors ani producers saying they have "misiri terpreted" it and are dwelling on th "more sordid aspects of life." But he will add, "this is an inevitable rei action from the idiotic excommunica tions and prudish cuts formerly en forced by censor boards and pressur< groups. The dangers of liberty aii less to be feared than those of re pression and in the long run, maybe the short run, will be cured more, rapidly." Fire Razes Theatre ALMA, Mich., Nov. 13.-Fire of undetermined origin destroyed the Strand Theatre, the only one in this community. Firemen fought the blaze for three hours, but the roof collapsed, leaving the building a total loss estimated at $100,000. It was built in 1920 and operated by Cassidy Theatres, Inc. of the Midland circuit. Gets 'Make Mine Mink' Continental Distributing, Inc. has acquired American distribution rights to British comic Terry-Thomas' latest vehicle, "Make Mine Mink." It is a J. Arthur Rank production. 1 Rover e" Opening Set Roberto Rossellini's "General Delia Rovere" starring Vittorio de Sica in the title role, will have its American premiere at the Paris Theatre here Monday, Nov. 21. Shift Disney Meet HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 13-Roy O. Disney, president of Walt Disney Productions, announced the regular meeting of the board of directors scheduled for last Thursday to consider, among other things, declaration of cash and stock dividends on the company's common stock, has been postponed to November 17 at which time such matters will be considered. 'Boys' Premiere Set M-G-M's Christmas-New Year's attraction, "Where the Boys Are," will have its world premiere at the Gateway Theatre in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., on Dec. 21. Hadassah to Sponsor PITTSBURGH, Nov. 13-The Pittsburgh chapter of Hadassah will sponsor the premiere of "Spartacus" at the Nixon Theatre here on Dec. 22. Daylight Saving Time Defeated in Colorado Special to THE DAILY DENVER, Nov. 13. With only a small percentage of the outlying precincts as yet unreported it is now certain that the proposal which would set up daylight saving time for the! state of Colorado has been defeated.! The daylight saving proposal led for| quite some time proving more popular in the larger metropolitan areas. Strongest opposition came from the! rural areas and as returns came in from the outlying parts of the state it became evident that the proposed! amendment would not pass. The Colorado Committee for Standard Time concentrated most of their campaign on the fact that the proposed amendment would result in 'confusion' time in that the state of Colorado would be isolated on the faster time while all of those states which surround Colorado would remain on standard time.